This book is a game changer and I loved it. Absolutely fantastic tutorials and tips. I especially liked the section on how to paint without solvents. Some really great techniques in this book and i highly recommend it.

I really liked how the information was giving very clearly, and was well constructed, I would totally recommend this to anyone who wants to pick up oil-painting. This is a fantastic book and guide.

The New Oil Painting explains how you can do oil painting without needing harmful chemicals or solvents. Much of the book focused on supplies and materials rather than on painting techniques. The author explained how to thin colors, glaze, and clean brushes without needing harmful chemicals. She provided lists of where to find the supplies you need. She provided step-by-step instructions along with pictures showing the process of cleaning a brush, for example. She provided a lot of interesting information about how artists historically did these things before resins were added to paints, meaning solvents were then needed.

The author also discussed things like why you paint with fat over lean (and what that means), layering, and color mixing as well as briefly talking about storing paintings, painting the sides for display, varnishing paintings, and safety measures. If you're interested in oil painting but have been been deterred by concerns about harmful fumes and chemicals, then I'd recommend this very useful and informative book. However, a complete beginner to painting might feel at a loss on how to apply the information since the author assumed a certain amount of familiarity with painting.

I inherited my father's oil paints; the set-up, everything. He taught a lot of young people how to paint, but not me. I know a fair amount about it, and I designed the custom lid to his dresser-top mixing palate that kept his paints fresh between painting sessions.

Unfortunately, my allergies and asthma meant that my time in his "studio" was limited to very short visits to see what he was working on, to discuss colors, subject matter, and to bounce ideas around. Again, briefly.

The New Oil Painting has opened the door--literally--to my Dad's oil painting hobby! The primary subject is detoxifying the oil painting studio, so the painter is not sacrificing health for their art!

Kimberly Brooks explains how to make this a more "green" experience, and goes so far as to recommend examples of every type of supply a new oil painter will need. So from zero to complete, a new hobbiest will have a studio they won't forget or lose interest in. It will be so inviting and pleasant, they can enjoy it for many years.

If you have curiosity about the history of oil painting, what has changed, what to give the painter in your life (in addition to this book), or what can be done to improve safety and efficiency, please consider this an introduction!

The writing style is conversational but concise, and entertaining while informative. It doesn't read like a dusty-dry DIY book. It's like visiting an artist or watching a podcast, and having all of your questions answered before you ask them.

I enjoyed this book so much, I forgot to take notes. So I will read it again when it's published, and do some serious highlighting and note-taking!

Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher, for this book preview!

The New Oil Painting is a tutorial and instruction guide to safe and sustainable oil painting and studio practice by Kimberly Brooks. Due out 18th May 2021 from Chronicle Books, it's 176 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is a well written, layman accessible, clear and easy to understand treatise on studio safety, practice, and supplies for oil painting. I work in a medical lab around all kinds of caustic chemicals and solvents and lab safety is always a very high priority. It's amazing how many hobbyists and artists don't take chemical safety and waste disposal seriously.

The book has a logical layout, the introduction (how and why the information included is relevant and what to do about it) is followed by two main sections: first workspace and materials considerations, and the second covers techniques including some relevant tutorials on preparing canvases, laying down ground, and color mixing which will be learning opportunities for artists at all levels of experience. The author's voice throughout is calm and knowledgeable but not pedantic or preachy. She also includes commentary on her own working style and tips along the way (as well as some truly sobering cautionary commentary on the potential toxicity of traditional materials and solvents which she experienced for herself).

Five stars. This would make a great choice for library acquisition, maker's spaces, home and school studios and the like.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The New Oil Painting by Kimberly Brooks. Brooks lays out an extensive history of oil painting, as well as mechanics, techniques, and best practices of oil painting in meticulous detail. While information and advice on the art of painting itself is fairly sparse, reading this book felt like getting a masterclass in Oil Painting 101 as it establishes a firm foundation for any beginner, with focus on the myriad of aspects of oil paint itself, from materials to safety. It may not necessarily teach you how to paint, but it will give you all the information you need to start down your own path.

This was a very technical book on painting supplies and mediums. It would be an excellent reference book for a new artist. Everything you need to know about what to buy and safety all in one book.
I recommend this book to new artists.

I received this book from Net Galley.

First off, it is important to note that this is not a how-to book about painting techniques. However, with that said, if you ever went into an art supply store and felt overwhelmed by all of the oil painting supplies displayed in front of you, this book is for you. The author discusses in detail everything that you need to know about supplies - from how to read a paint tube, to the different types of pigments / colors, to solvents, mediums, substrates and brushes. She also explains safety, toxicity and alternatives that are not harmful to yourself or to the environment. Whether you are a beginner or a more experienced painter, this is definitely a good resource to add to your library.

This was not for me at all. The title of the book is very misleading; I learned nothing useful reading this. This book is only beneficial/interesting to anyone who hasn't done art in school. Also, didn't like how the book was structured. I'm only giving it a 2 star rating (generously) because it's not a terrible book, just not the book for me.

This is such a wonderful book for someone who is looking to begin oil painting. It discusses materials, and ways to help you out in order to make the best oil painting. It thinks of everything needed!!!!

arc provided by netgalley for an honest review
this book is helpful for oil painter newbies but also those who are experienced with oil painting. It was very instructive and goes into detail both for basics and more advanced techniques. It was a nice review/recap for someone who has not dipped in oil painting for quite some time.

The first time I quit oil painting was during my first pregnancy. Then during my second, Then a third time, due to migraines, with a sense of sadness because this one felt permanent. Fast forward to today when I have started oil painting again with water mixable oils and lost of questions about where to even start. And then, with perfect timing, I found this book. It has everything: history, practical advice, it walks you though every detail of a variety of materials and techniques, price points (and the reasons for the price points), brands (again with their price ranges), safety tips. This book covered every question I had, plus the questions that hadn't occurred to me. This book is packed with information and I think best suited for someone with at least some experience looking for a comprehensive guide or for ideas on how to paint more safely.


I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a really helpful book for painting beginners. Really informative and very very helpful, from what paint you should buy it shouldnt buy, that is really helpful, I struggled also from that when I tried to paint. Contents of this book is amazingly crafted, highly recommended to artist. especially beginners, and for the people who would like to enter and do something unique, people who are interested in oil paintings. It's very very helpful.
Thank you So much Negalley, Kimberly Brooks and the publisher for the advance copy to read and review.

Review ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the Publisher.
The New Oil Painting book has actually gotten me one step closer to taking actually using the oil paints I own to...paint with oils. Not to be glib, but as someone who studied art history, and who has a solid background in materials and studio/archive safety, oil painting intimidates the hell out of me. I have two small cats, I don't have a big studio to paint in with a good air vent system in place aside from "open my window," and I absolutely know too many stories about artists being poisoned from toxic materials, especially with regards to inhalation or exposure via the eyes. I'm not the only one - a friend of mine who got a BFA had a professor tell a horror story of knowing a woman who covered herself in blue paint for an art project, and then unsurprisingly got heavy metal poisoning. Now, I'm not saying I intended to ever coat myself in lead white oil paint, but the bottle of mineral spirits and paint thinner I *thought* I needed concerned me. Would I only be able to paint outside for short periods? How much flammability would I have to worry about? I had already begun looking into Gamblin's solvent free gel/fluid and the possibility of (very minute) use of Gamsol (Odorless mineral spirit). I've bought water-miscible oil paints as well as "regular" oil paint. But I still haven't taken the deep dive.

This book did a great job of laying out how to do away with thinner and solvent *entirely*. Kimberly Brooks explains in thoughtful, concrete ways how to avoid using toxic materials like turps (turpentine) and instead practice a safer, less dangerous method of oil painting. One that also A.) isn't married to the arguments of the 19th century about what the "old masters," did or didn't do, and B.) is not exceptionally complicated or inherently more expensive. I deeply appreciate the in-depth discussions of what certain components do, and how safe they are for use.

I've never taken an oil painting studio class - only gleaned best practices from internet resources, other books, and my academic studies. But this book does handily describe not only the "what" of safer, less toxic painting, but also the "how," it's done, step by step. The descriptions of cleaning brushes without using harsh chemicals were great. Things are broken down, and there are some minimalist diagrams/illustrations. My biggest complaints would necessarily be that there could certainly be much more in terms of photos and illustrations that would be useful. I'd certainly appreciate seeing more of them, since I suspect many of the ideal audience here are "visual learners." I also might have liked just a little more relating to palette set-up and color theory, but otherwise I found this book to overall be very helpful and hope to use what I learned from it soon. (Now if only I also new how to contain and best dispose of my watercolor "water"...)

--Artists: Know Your Pigments & So Much More!--

I received an advanced review copy from the publisher through NetGalley and here are my thoughts.

This book is eye-opening! Get ready to put down your assumptions on what "has" to be used in order to paint, period. The author has painstakingly researched and tested and tells you how to paint without having to use any toxic solvents.

You'll learn how to make your own mediums and use essential or other oils to slow down drying or keep things from growing mold.

Detailed information about how to select tools such as brushes and how to care for them so you can use them a long, long time.

And even more detailed information about all the materials you're likely to use while painting, and how to use EVERYTHING in the most efficient and eco-friendly, artist savvy way. And the author discusses all kinds of paints and mediums, not just oil paints.

Basically, this is the GET SET UP TO PAINT properly book that you've always wanted, regardless of whether or not you were concerned about solvents.

Big Thumbs for this book.

When I first started painting, I used oils, and had a jar of turps near by, but some years back when I decided to take a painting course, oil painting was considered too dangerous and I had to settle for acrylics. The acrylics never had the same pull for me or created the effects I wanted. Since then I discovered water based oil paints and am happy with the choice.
This book will opened your eyes to the why and what for about the oil painting medium, how to create your own, discover the basics of commercial safe oil paint and a lot more including safe canvases, extenders and mediums.
This book has been a long time coming, and should be read by all new and experienced oil painters - the information is extensive and really worth knowing.
Highly recommended

I'm very disapponted by this book. Yes it has very much useful information, specially on materials,, but very few colored images (only on 15 pages of 214). The rest is text, text, text, with very simple little symbols or objects in black (no color),, Painting is visual art, we need pictures, illustrations, give us colors please. This book reminds me of some 100 year old art instruction books, a lot of text, very few unexciting black and white images. They are too boring for the modern reader, so is this one, despite the good information it contains. Art needs excitement and inspiration,

I really liked that the book introduces how to paint solvent-free with oils. Oils are weird to try out because at the start you just dont know what to buy and this helps alot.
There also is some great knowledge about pigment in here.

This is an excellent guide for artists to use nontoxic, safe oil painting supplies. Brooks points out that many artists mistakenly believe that they need to use toxic cleaners, paints, thinners, etc. and it's completely untrue. The book is really designed for serious artists and there were times when the talk was over my head, but I appreciated the wealth of information.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

This book was a wonderful surprise! I expected it to be a quick glazing of terms and instructions on how to paint in the modern day with lots of the authors own works shown step by step and instead what I got was a stage by stage, thoroughly detailed instruction guide on how to begin painting! I should mention that it is also useful for those who have been painting and want to detoxify their studio practices. As a baker, I could compare this to the rarely seen, fully instructional guides to cooking that doesn't assume that everyone knows the difference between types of oils or eggs and which pan to use when. I left this reading excited by the thought of diving in to a new hobby and confident to go to the store and know what I was looking to purchase rather that just scanning the unknown. I loved that Kimberly Brooks kept this NON-TOXIC, what a welcome perspective and she describes her reasons for doing so compellingly in the book. She gives advice as well as options and I really like her style! At first, it took me a bit to get used to the almost hand written, journal style of the book with little doodles marking chapters and columns but just as I was getting into that vibe, boom.. she drops page after page of gorgeously staged photos of the simplest of materials (I mean how gorgeous is paint coming out of the tube) without fussing too much. This book publishes May 4th, 2021 and I recommend this brilliant book for the beginner or for anyone looking to modernize their practices!